ELASTOPLASTIC OPTIMUM DESIGN OF Ni/TiC FUNCTIONAL GRADIENT MATERIAL

The thermal residual stresses developed in a disk-shaped, Ni/TiC functionally gradient material (FGM) during its fabrication are investigated by an elastic-plastic finite element numerical ap-proach. Constitutive relations for the graded Ni-TiC composite inter-layers between pure metal Ni and ceramic TiC are estimated by using an effectiv-medium approach, and effective plastic strain and stress distributions are computed for simulated cooling from an assumed fab-rication temperature. Analyses are performed for a fixed specimen ge-ometry and the graded region is treated as a series of perfectly bonded equal-thick layers. The results are compared with those obtained by on-ly considering elastic material response to assess the effect of plasticity on the optimum fabrication design of the Ni/TiC FGM. It is demon-strated that the consideration of plasticity is of critical importance for optimization of the metal/ceramic gradient materials.

Crack tip field in functionally gradient material with exponential variation of elastic constants in two directions

This paper presents an exact solution of the crack tip field in functionally gradient material with exponential variation of elastic constants. The dimensionless Poisson＇s ratios v0 of the engineering materials （iron, glass …… ） are far less than one; therefore, neglecting them, one can simplify the basic equation and the exact solution is easy to obtain. Although the exact solution for the case v0 ≠ 0 is also obtained, it is very complicated and the main result is the same with the case v0 = 0 （it will be dealt with in Appendix VII）. It has been found that the exponential term exp（ax ＋ by） in the constitutive equations becomes exp（ ax /2 ＋ by/2- kr /2 ） in the exact solution.

Flexural Mechanical Properties of Functional Gradient Hydroxyapatite Reinforced Polyetheretherketone Biocomposites

Functional gradient hydroxyapatite reinforced polyetheretherketone is one of the most promising or- thopedic implant biomaterials. In this study, functional gradient hydroxyapatite reinforced polyetheretherketone biocomposites were prepared by layer-by-layer method with the incorporation of hot press molding technology. Studies on the flexural mechanical properties of the functional gradient biocomposites revealed that the flexural stress-stain behavior of the biocomposites presented linear elastic characteristics. The fracture mechanism of the functional gradient biocomposites was predominated by brittle rupture. Furthermore, both flexural strength and break strain of the functional gradient HA/PEEK biocomposites obviously decreased with the rise of the total HA content. The effect of hydroxyapatite concentration difference between adjacent layers （HCDBAL） on the flexural strength obviously relied on the level of HCDBAL and total HA content in the functional gradient HA/PEEK biocomposites. The higher the total HA content in the functional gradient biocomposites is, the less the influence degree of HCDBAL on the flexural strength is. Moreover, total HA content and HCDBAL played synergistic influence on the flexural modulus of the functional gradient HA/PEEK biocomposites.

DESIGN AND PROPERTIES OF A FUNCTIONALLY GRADIENT CERAMIC TOOL MATERIAL

Based on the analyses of the severity of cutting process as well as the failure mechanisms of ceramic tools, a model for designing functionally gradient ceramic tool materials with symmetrical distribution is presented, by which a Al 2O 3/(W,Ti)C ceramic tool material FG 2 was developed. Multi objective optimization method was employed in designing the compositional distribution of this ceramic tool material. The results of both continuous and intermittent cutting tests are indicative of the much better cutting behavior of the functionally gradient ceramic tool FG 2 than that of the common ceramic tool SG 4.

Centrifugal casting processes of manufacturing in situ functionally gradient composite materials of Al-19Si-5Mg alloy

Cylindrical components of in situ functionally gradient composite materials of Al-19Si-5Mg alloy were manufactured by centrifugal casting. Microstructure characteristics of the manufactured components were observed and the effects of the used process factors on these characteristics were analyzed. The results of observations shows that, in thickness, the components possess microstructures accumulating lots of Mg2Si particles and a portion of primary silicon particles in the inner layer, a little MgzSi and primary silicon particles in the outer layer, and without any Mg2Si and primary silicon particle in the middle layer. The results of the analysis indicate that the rotation rate of centrifugal casting, mould temperature, and melt pouring temperature have evidently affected the accumulation of the second phase particles. Also, the higher the centrifugal rotation rate, mould temperature, and melt pouring temperature are, the more evident in the inner layer the degree of accumulation of Mg2Si and primary silicon particles is.

Relationship Between Thermal Shock Behavior and Cutting Performance of a Functionally Gradient Ceramic Tool

Based on the deep understanding of the requirements of cutting conditions on ceramic tools, a design model for functionally gradient ceramic tool materials with symmetrical composition distribution was presented in this paper, according to which an Al 2O 3-TiC functionally gradient ceramic tool material FG-1 was synthesized by powder-laminating and uniaxially hot-pressing technique. The thermal shock resistance of the Al 2O 3-TiC functionally gradient ceramics FG-1 was evaluated by water quenching and subsequent three-point bending tests of flexural strength diminution. Comparisons were made with results from parallel experiments conducted using a homogeneous Al 2O 3-TiC ceramics. Functionally gradient ceramics exhibited higher retained strength under all thermal shock temperature differences compared to homogeneous ceramics, indicating the higher thermal shock resistance. The experimental results were supported by the calculation of transient thermal stress field. The cutting performance of the Al 2O 3-TiC functionally gradient ceramic tool FG-1 was also investigated in rough turning the cylindrical surface of exhaust valve of diesel engine in comparison with that of a common Al 2O 3-TiC ceramic tool LT55. The results indicated that the tool life of FG-1 increased by 50 percent over that of LT55. Tool life of LT55 was mainly controlled by thermal shock cracking which was accompanied by mechanical shock. While tool life of FG-1 was mainly controlled by mechanical fatigue crack extension rather than thermal shock cracking, revealing the less thermal shock susceptibility of functionally gradient ceramics than that of common ceramics.

NVESTIGATION OF PRODUCTOPN OF FUNCTIONALLY GRADIENT MATERIAL BY ELECTROLESS PLATING

Thispaper proposed a new methodof producing Ceramic/ Metalfunctionally gradient mate rialby electroless platingtechnique. The experimentof producing SiC/ Ni PFGM wascar ried out with self made electroless plating facilities. The results show that the thickness of FGMcoating andthegradientdistribution ofcompositioncanbecontrolled byoptimizingelec trolessplating technology and changing the parameters such as plating time, the additionspeed and concentration of SiCparticles. Analysisdemonstratesthatthereisastrongrelation ship amongthe SiCcontent,the microstructureandthe mechanicalproperty ofthe FGM.

ANTI-PLANE SHEAR CRACK IN A FUNCTIONALLY GRADIENT PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL

The main objective of this paper is to study the singular natureof the crack-tip stress and electric displacement field in afunctionally gradient piezoelectric medium having materialcoefficients with a discontinuous derivative. The problem isconsidered for the simplest possible loading and geometry, namely,the anti-plane shear stress and electric displacement in -plane oftwo bonded half spaces in which the crack is parallel to theinterface.

Ti/Al_2O_3 Functionally Gradient Material Prepared by the Explosive Compaction/SHS Process

Ti1Al2O3 Functionally Gradient Material (FGM) was prepared by an explosive compaction/SHS process. Ten sheets of the compounding powder were laminated and pressed to get a green body of FGM. It was then compacted explosively By burying the explosive compaction body into a stoichiometric Al/TiO2 mixture and igniting the combustion of the stoichiometric Al/TiO2 mixture, the SHS reaction of the explosive compaction body was initiated by the heat released from the combustion of the stoichiometric Al/TiO2 mixture. In this way, Ti/Al2O3 FGM was synthesized. The adiabatic temperatures of each gradient layer were calculated when the preheating temperatures were 298 K and 1173 K, respectively The microstructure, composition and properties of Ti/Al2O3 FGM and the reaction mechanism of each gradient layer were studied. It was found that Ti/Al2O3 FGM prepared by the explosive compaction/SHS process had a high density and a high microhardness. Its structure, composition and properties showed apparent gradient distribution. The structure of the standard stoichiometric ratio gradient layer of FGM was a network structure. Its reaction mode could be described as follows: Al powder melted first, then the molten Al penetrated into the TiO2 zone and reacted with TiO2, and big pores were left in the original positions of Al powder. The reaction of gradient layers with the addition of Al3O3 as diluents was similar to that of the standard stoichiometric ratio gradient layer, so were their structure and composition. However, the reaction of gradient layers with the addition of Ti as diluents was more complex and the composition deviated slightly from the designed one

Higher order asymptotic fields for mode Ⅰ crack in functionally gradient material

Higher order stress fields for a mode Ⅰ crack perpendicular to the direction of property variation in a functionally gradient material(FGM), which has an exponential variation of elastic modulus along the gradient direction, were obtained through an asymptotic analysis. The Poisson’s ratio of the FGMs was assumed to be constant throughout the analysis. The first five terms in the asymptotic expansions of crack tip stress fields were derived to bring out the influence of nonhomogeneity on the structure of the stress field explicitly. The analysis reveals that only the higher order terms in the expansion are influenced by the material nonhomogeneity. Moreover, it can be seen from expressions of higher order stress fields that at least three terms must be considered in the case of FGMs in order to explicitly account for the nonhomogeneity effects on the structure of crack tip stress fields.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of ZrO_2-Ni Functionally Gradient Material

The fabrication. microstructure and mechanical properties of ZrO2-Ni functionally gradient materials (FGM ) have been studied. FGM as well as non-FG M of ZrO2-Ni system was developed by powder metallurgical process. X-ray diffractometer (XRD ). electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), scanning electron microscope (SEM ) and optical microscope were employed to investigate the crystalline phases. chemical composition and microstructure Experimental results demonstrate that the composition and microstructure of ZrO2-Ni FGM have the expected gradient distribution. There are no distinct interfaces in the FGM due to the gradient change of components. that is, the constituents are continuous in microstructure everywhere. Moreover, Vickers hardness and flexural strength were measured for the common composites as a function of composition. It is made clear that the mechanical properties of the FGM vary corresponding to the constitutional changes as well

Genetic Algorithm for the Thermal Stresses Optimum Design ofFunctionally Gradient Material Plate

Based on the thermal stress distribution for functionally gradient material (FGM) plates, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) method for the thermal stresses optimum design of FGM plate with computer technologies is given. The minimum thermal stresses combination distribution for FGM is obtained.

ANTI-PLANE FRACTURE ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONALLY GRADIENT MATERIAL INFINITE STRIP WITH FINITE WIDTH

The special case of a crack under mode Ⅲ conditions was treated, lying parallel to the edges of an infinite strip with finite width and with the shear modulus varying exponentially perpendicular to the edges. By using Fourier transforms the problem was formulated in terms of a singular integral equation. It was numerically solved by representing the unknown dislocation density by a truncated series of Chebyshev polynomials leading to a linear system of equations. The stress intensity factor （SIF） results were discussed with respect to the influences of different geometric parameters and the strength of the non-homogeneity. It was indicated that the SIF increases with the increase of the crack length and decreases with the increase of the rigidity of the material in the vicinity of crack. The SIF of narrow strip is very sensitive to the change of the non-homogeneity parameter and its variation is complicated. With the increase of the non-homogeneity parameter, the stress intensity factor may increase, decrease or keep constant, which is mainly determined by the strip width and the relative crack location. If the crack is located at the midline of the strip or if the strip is wide, the stress intensity factor is not sensitive to the material non-homogeneity parameter.

THERMAL STRESSES ANALYSIS OF CERAMIC/METAL FUNCTIONALLY GRADIENT MATERIAL CYLINDER

In this paper, the composite cylinder system is made of three layers: metal, functionally gradient material (FGM) and ceramics is studied. The formulas of the steady_state temperature distribution and the associate thermal stress distribution in the cylinder are obtained. For ZrO 2/Ti_6Al_4V system, the distribution of steady_state temperature and thermal stress are calculated and discussed.

Design of DLC/Titanium Alloy Bio-Functionally Gradient Coat

The material design is used to direct the magnetron cosputtering process. At first, according to the particularity of functionally gradient coat (FGC) the thermal elastic stress analysis for FGC was carried out based on the plane stress hypothesis. It is obtained that the peak value of plane thermal stress within FGC is only determined by the physical properties of materials of FGC and substrate, the composition distribution coefficient only influences the distribution and trend of plane thermal stress. And the plane thermal stress criterion for design of FGC was presented. Then the plane thermal stress of diamond like carbon/titanium alloy FGC was calculated.

Stress Field Analyses of Functionally Gradient Ceramic Tool by FEM

The cutting properties of the functionally gradient ceramic cutting tools relate closely to the gradient distribution. A cutting model of the functionally gradient ceramic tool is firstly designed in the present paper. The optimum of gradient distribution is obtained by way of the FEM analyses.

Nonlinear in-plane thermal buckling of rotationally restrained functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite shallow arches under uniform radial loading

The nonlinear in-plane instability of functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite(FG-CNTRC)shallow circular arches with rotational constraints subject to a uniform radial load in a thermal environment is investigated.Assuming arches with thickness-graded material properties,four different distribution patterns of carbon nanotubes(CNTs)are considered.The classical arch theory and Donnell’s shallow shell theory assumptions are used to evaluate the arch displacement field,and the analytical solutions of buckling equilibrium equations and buckling loads are obtained by using the principle of virtual work.The critical geometric parameters are introduced to determine the criteria for buckling mode switching.Parametric studies are carried out to demonstrate the effects of temperature variations,material parameters,geometric parameters,and elastic constraints on the stability of the arch.It is found that increasing the volume fraction of CNTs and distributing CNTs away from the neutral axis significantly enhance the bending stiffness of the arch.In addition,the pretension and initial displacement caused by the temperature field have significant effects on the buckling behavior.

Robust Topology Optimization of Periodic Multi-Material Functionally Graded Structures under Loading Uncertainties

This paper presents a robust topology optimization design approach for multi-material functional graded structures under periodic constraint with load uncertainties.To characterize the random-field uncertainties with a reduced set of random variables,the Karhunen-Lo`eve(K-L)expansion is adopted.The sparse grid numerical integration method is employed to transform the robust topology optimization into a weighted summation of series of deterministic topology optimization.Under dividing the design domain,the volume fraction of each preset gradient layer is extracted.Based on the ordered solid isotropic microstructure with penalization(Ordered-SIMP),a functionally graded multi-material interpolation model is formulated by individually optimizing each preset gradient layer.The periodic constraint setting of the gradient layer is achieved by redistributing the average element compliance in sub-regions.Then,the method of moving asymptotes(MMA)is introduced to iteratively update the design variables.Several numerical examples are presented to verify the validity and applicability of the proposed method.The results demonstrate that the periodic functionally graded multi-material topology can be obtained under different numbers of sub-regions,and robust design structures are more stable than that indicated by the deterministic results.

A Novel Technique for Preparation of Electrically Conductive ABS/Cu Polymeric Gradient Composites

A novel technique for preparing functionally gradient electrically conductive polymeric composites was developed by using of solution casting technique on the principle of Stokes＇ law. Acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene/Cu （ABS/Cu） gradient polymeric composites were prepared successfully using this technique. The gradient structures, electrically conductive performance and mechanical properties of the ABS/Cu composites were investigated. Optical microscope observation shows that the gradient distribution of Cu particles in ABS matrix was formed along their thickness-direction. The electrically conductive testing results indicate that the order of magnitude of surface resistivity was kept in 10^15 Ω at ABS rich side, while that declined to 10^5 Ω at Cu particles rich side, and the percolation threshold was in the range of 2.82 vo1%- 4.74 vol% Cu content at Cu particles rich side. Mechanical test shows that the tensile strength reduced insignificantly as the content of Cu increases owing to the gradient distribution.

A universal spray printing strategy to prepare gradient hybrid architectures

Functionally gradient materials(FGMs)have attracted tremendous attention due to their unique properties and structures.However,it is still a great challenge to prepare scalable FGMs by a universal,cost-effective,and highly efficient method.Here,a strategy of combining in situ concentration regulation and spraying is developed to fabricate continuously gradient composite films(GCFs),where the component gradient variation can be well controlled.This strategy is universal and versatile,which is beneficial to inducing different components into GCFs with gradient distributions and further constructing them with diverse configurations on various substrates.The gradient design endows the composite films with excellent mechanical strength and gradient electron transport pathways,which ensures that GCFs directly serve as the electrodes in electrochemical devices.As a proof of concept,free-standing GCFs based on V2O5 nanomaterials are used as cathodes of aqueous zinc-ion batteries.The resultant devices deliver superior electrochemical performances in comparison with the counterparts of homogeneous case.Therefore,this universal strategy provides a promising route in the scalable production of FGMs and further extends their applications in various fields.